Judge told corrupt cop abused by partner

A dedicated police officer was in a "cyclical domestic violence hurdy-gurdy" when she became involved in her boyfriend's cannabis cultivation, a judge has been told.

Amanda Boughen "acquiesced" to setting up a bogus tenant for her Adelaide rental property so her abusive boyfriend could use the premises to grow the drug, her lawyer Stephen Ey said on Monday.

But prosecutor Ian Press SC submitted it was "a joint venture on equal footing between two people".

Boughen, 41, of Mawson Lakes, has pleaded guilty in the SA District Court to fabricating, altering or concealing evidence in 2006.

She had the electricity connected to the residence in the bogus name of Nicole Hooper, which also was used for the tenancy and bond documents.

Judge Paul Rice was told the defence and prosecution were in dispute about whether Boughen was manipulated by her then-boyfriend, Daryl Joseph.

Last year, prosecutors withdrew charges against Boughen of abusing public office and attempting to obstruct or pervert the course of justice in 2010.

Boughen, who resigned from SA police in December, had been accused of tipping off Storm Alexander Strang, the ringleader of a cannabis trafficking syndicate, about an investigation into his drug crop.

Mr Ey, who previously said Boughen had been unduly influenced by Joseph and was just a pawn in a criminal enterprise, described her then-boyfriend as being violent and abusive.

The case had to be looked at in the context of her long and tragic history of being a victim, going back to her childhood, he said.

But Judge Rice said he struggled with Mr Ely's submission.

"She is an intelligent lady, a dedicated and committed police officer meant to be upholding the law and she's turned her back on all of that and becomes involved in criminality for this man," he said.

Mr Ely submitted that she was in a cyclical domestic violence hurdy-gurdy.

While it was "gobsmacking", he said people could live a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde existence having the outward appearance of an upstanding citizen while having dark secrets.

Mr Press has previously said Boughen was motivated, to some degree, by greed.

Boughen will be sentenced on another date.